Positioning information transmitting device and positioning information transmitting/receiving system

ABSTRACT

A positioning information transmitting device for transmitting the current site data to a peripheral device(s) using wireless signals. The current side data, as the positioning information of the current site, calculated by a portable telephone signal positioning processor  20  or a GPS unit  30,  is transmitted to a CPU  12  through an interfacing (I/F) unit  11.  The positioning information transmitting device  10  includes a local wireless communication unit  40  for transmitting/receiving data to or from the peripheral device(s). The current side data is transmitted from a CPU  12  through a communication controller  13  so as to be processed by a baseband processor  41  of the local wireless communication unit  40.  The so processed data is superposed by an RF processor  41  on a carrier wave so as to be transmitted over a wireless path to a peripheral device(s) from a local wireless communication antenna  43.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a positioning information transmittingdevice for transmitting the positioning information obtained onpositioning the current site, to a near-by device(s), and to apositioning information transmitting/receiving system comprised of thepositioning information transmitting device and the near-by device(s).

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Up to now, there has been known such a technique for measuringthe current site by the global positioning system (GPS) or based on basestation signals for a portable telephone set. Such device employing thistechnique to calculate the current site for practical application hasalready been commercialized.

[0005] The positioning technique by GPS uses C/A (Coarse/Acquisition)codes contained in L1 electrical waves, sent from three or more of 24satellites performing orbital movements at an altitude of approximately20,000 km, with a carrier frequency of 1575.42 MHz, to find the distancebetween a moving object and the satellites to calculate the position ofthe moving object.

[0006] As disclosed in Japanese Laying-Open Patent Publication2001-45549 or Japanese Laying-Open Patent Publication H-10-322752, thetechnique of calculating the current site based on received base stationsignals for a portable telephone set calculates the distance between thebase station and the moving object, based on the phase difference of theelectrical waves, and calculates the current site by trigonometricalsurvey on the basis of the calculated distance.

[0007] However, the majority of the currently commercialized devicesinclude a unit for measuring the current site, enclosed therein, whileit has not been attempted to transmit the positioning information toother devices.

[0008] There is presently used a current site measurement unit of thetype in which current site data is transmitted by cable communication,such as USB, PC card or serial communication, to a main body device,such as PC or car navigation system. However, this measurement unitcommunicates with the main body device in the relationship ofone-for-one correspondence, such that the current site information isnot exchanged with a main body device not paired with respect to thecurrent site measurement unit. Even if the current site data istransmitted to such main body device not paired with respect to thecurrent site measurement unit, there persist complexities that, sincecable communication is used, the current site measurement unit must beconnected to the main body device over a cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apositioning information transmitting device which is able to transmitcurrent site data to near-by devices using wireless signals.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide apositioning information transmitting/receiving system whereby a userowning a device in the neighborhood of the positioning informationtransmitting device may enjoy an added benefit.

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention provides a positioninginformation transmitting device including current site positioning meansfor positioning the current site to obtain the positioning information,and wireless communication means for transmitting the positioninginformation obtained by the current site positioning means to outside.

[0012] In another aspect, the present invention provides a positioninginformation transmission/reception system including a positioninginformation transmitting device made up by current site positioningmeans for positioning the current site to obtain the positioninginformation and by wireless transmission means for transmitting thepositioning information obtained by the current site positioning meansto outside, and a device made up by wireless communication means forreceiving wireless signals indicating the positioning informationtransmitted by the positioning information transmitting device and byconverting means for converting the positioning information of thewireless signals received by the wireless communication.

[0013] In still another aspect, the present invention provides apositioning information transmitting method including a step ofpositioning the current site to obtain the positioning information, anda step of transmitting the positioning information obtained by thecurrent site positioning means on a wireless path to outside.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides apositioning information transmitting program including a step ofpositioning the current site to obtain the positioning information, anda step of transmitting the positioning information obtained by thecurrent site positioning means on a wireless path to outside.

[0015] In the positioning information transmitting device according tothe present invention, in which wireless communication means transmitsthe positioning information, acquired by the current site positioningmeans, in the form of wireless signals, current site data can be sent toplural devices, thus dispensing with costs involved in having thepositioning information transmitting device enclosed in the main bodydevice. On the other hand the user may be relieved of complexitiesinvolved in cable re-mounting. Moreover, the positioning informationtransmitting device, enclosed in a one-for-one correspondencerelationship in or connected over a cable to the main body device may bean independent positioning unit.

[0016] In addition, in the positioning information transmitting systemaccording to the present invention, in which the positioninginformation, sent from the positioning information transmitting device,is received by wireless communication means of the device, and formed byconversion means into place names, time and/or the site displayinformation on a map, the user owning a device may enjoy an added value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates the appearance and schematic functions of apositioning information transmitting device.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an inner structure of thepositioning information transmitting device.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a display instance of the positioning staterepresented by the positioning information transmitting device on an LCDdisplay unit.

[0020]FIG. 4 shows constituent elements of a positioning informationtransmitting/receiving system.

[0021]FIG. 5 illustrates the processing carried out between thepositioning information transmitting device and a digital camera in thepositioning information transmitting/receiving system.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing by the positioninginformation transmitting device in the positioning informationtransmitting/receiving system.

[0023]FIG. 7 shows a specified example of processing carried out betweena positioning information transmitting device and a digital camera inthe positioning information transmitting/receiving system.

[0024]FIG. 8 shows exemplary data of communication between thepositioning information transmitting device and a digital camera.

[0025]FIG. 9 shows a memory card inserted into a memory card insertingslot of the positioning information transmitting device.

[0026]FIG. 10 shows a specified example of movement trajectory datarecorded by the positioning information transmitting device on a memorycard 3.

[0027]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an inner structure of a digitalcamera.

[0028]FIG. 12 illustrates communication between the positioninginformation transmitting device and the digital camera in thepositioning information transmitting/receiving system.

[0029]FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing carried out in adigital camera in the positioning information transmitting/receivingsystem.

[0030]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an inner structure of aportable information terminal device.

[0031]FIG. 15 illustrates the processing carried out between thepositioning information transmitting device and the portable informationterminal device in the positioning information transmitting/receivingsystem.

[0032]FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing carried outby the portable information terminal device in the positioninginformation transmitting/receiving system.

[0033]FIG. 17 illustrates schematics of communication in the positioninginformation transmitting/receiving system comprised of a potabletelephone set having enclosed the function as the positioninginformation device and a digital camera.

[0034]FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an inner structure of a potabletelephone set having enclosed the function as the positioninginformation device.

[0035]FIG. 19 illustrates schematics of communication in the positioninginformation transmitting/receiving system comprised of a potableinformation terminal device having enclosed the function as thepositioning information device and a digital camera.

[0036]FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing an inner structure of aportable information terminal device having enclosed the function as thepositioning information device.

[0037]FIG. 21 shows the appearance of a portable personal computerdevice having enclosed the function as the positioning informationdevice.

[0038]FIG. 22 shows an inner structure of a portable personal computerdevice having enclosed the function as the positioning informationdevice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 22, certain preferred embodiments of thepresent invention will be described in detail.

[0040] In the following, a positioning information transmitting device10, a positioning information transmitting/receiving system 70, made upby the positioning information transmitting device 10 and a peripheraldevice(s), and a digital camera 80 as well as a portable informationterminal device 100, as the peripheral devices, are now explained. Aportable telephone set 130, having enclosed the function as thepositioning information transmitting device, and a portable informationterminal device 170, similarly having enclosed the function as thepositioning information transmitting device, are also explained.

[0041] The positioning information transmitting device 10, theappearance of which is shown in FIG. 1, is a portable device, and hasenclosed a function of receiving GPS signals from a GPS satellite 1 anda function of receiving base station signals from a portable telephonebase station 2. The function of receiving GPS signals includes a GPSantenna 31, while the function of receiving signals of portabletelephone base stations for site measurement includes a portabletelephone communication antenna 21.

[0042] The positioning information transmitting device 10 includes abattery 58 for driving an equipment, a local wireless communication unit40 having a local wireless function of transmitting current site data toa peripheral device(s), as later explained, and an insertion opening(slot) for a memory card used for recording movement trajectory data 59.

[0043] The positioning technique by GPS uses C/A (Coarse/Acquisition)codes, contained in L1 electrical waves, with the carrier frequency of1575.42 MHz, transmitted from three or more of 24 satellites performingorbital movements at an altitude of 20,000 km, to find the distancebetween a moving object and the satellites to calculate the position ofthe moving object.

[0044] As disclosed for example in Japanese Laying-Open PatentPublication 2001-45549 or Japanese Laying-Open Patent PublicationH-10-322752, the technique of calculating the current site by receipt ofsignals from the portable telephone base station calculates the distancebetween the base station and the moving object, based on the phasedifference of electrical waves, and calculates the current site bytrigonometric survey based on this distance.

[0045] For example, in a moving object communication system, disclosedin Japanese Laying-Open Patent Publication No.2001-45549, there is showna technique in which a mobile device, desiring to acquire the positioninformation, receives an announcing channel, periodically transmittedfrom a base station, acquires the contents and the reception timing ofthe announcing channel and retrieves a database to add a new source oftransmission if such has not already been registered. If the acquisitionof the transmission timing of the announcing channel is further needed,the transmission timing is acquired. From the transmission timing andthe receipt timing of the announcing channel, propagation delay of theannouncing channel or the difference in propagation delay among pluralperiod announcing channels is calculated. The position information ofthe mobile device is calculated and output based on the propagationdelay or on the difference in propagation delay.

[0046] In a mobile station position estimation method, base stationdevice and the mobile station device, in cellular mobile communication,as disclosed in Japanese Laying-Open Patent Publication H-10-322752,there is shown a technique in which a mobile station device converts afirst intrinsic signal sequence PN1 from a PN1 generator into a presetformat by a transmission signal processing unit to transmit theconverted signal as a position estimating reference signal from atransmitter to a base station device, which base station device thentransmits a second intrinsic signal sequence PN2 from a PN2 generator toa mobile station, in synchronism with the first intrinsic signalsequence PN1 as sent to a receiver, with the mobile station causing itsphase comparator to compare the first intrinsic signal sequence PN1 assent to the second intrinsic signal sequence PN2 as received to find aphase difference therebetween to calculate an estimated distance betweenthe base station and the mobile station based on the phase difference toestimate the mobile station position.

[0047] The wireless technique by the local wireless function refers to awireless communication employing the same ISM (Industrial, Scientificand Medical) range of 2.4 GHz frequency as that used in for exampledirect sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) wireless communication, and istermed Bluetooth. By and large, this wireless technique is suited fortransmitting data to another device within a distance of 10 m or less.

[0048] The memory card refers to e.g., Memory Stick (trademark) which isnow finding extensive use as a storage medium for a digital camera or anotebook PC. This memory card has loaded therein a non-volatile flashmemory, and is able to hold data, while allowing data to be read outtherefrom.

[0049]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the positioning informationtransmitting device 10.

[0050] The positioning information transmitting device 10 includes aportable telephone signal positioning processor 20, which receivessignals for a portable telephone set for positioning the current site,as a specified instance of the function of receiving base stationsignals from the portable telephone base station 2 for site measurementas described above. The portable telephone signal positioning processorreceives electrical waves from the portable telephone base station 2 bya portable telephone antenna 21 and extracts signals by its RF processor22 to process the so extracted signals by its baseband processor 23. Theportable telephone signal positioning processor measures the phasedifference of the processed signals by a site measurement unit 24 tocalculate the latitude and the longitude of the current site as thepositioning information.

[0051] The positioning information transmitting device 10 also includesa GPS unit 30, which receives GPS signals from the GPS satellite 1 formeasuring the current site, as a specified instance of the function ofreceiving the GPS signals from the GPS satellite 1. The positioninginformation transmitting device extracts signals by an RF processor 32from the electrical waves received by the GPS antenna 31 to calculatethe latitude, longitude and the altitude of the current site and thecurrent time as the positioning information by its site measurement unit33.

[0052] The current site and time data, as the positioning informationfor the current site, calculated by the portable telephone signalpositioning processor 20 and by the GPS unit 30, are delivered throughan interfacing unit (I/F) unit 11 to the CPU 12.

[0053] The positioning information transmitting device 10 includes alocal wireless communication unit 40 capable of transmitting/receivingdata to or from peripheral device(s). The aforementioned current sitedata, attempted to be transmitted by the positioning informationtransmitting device 10, is transmitted from the CPU 12 through acommunication controller 13 so as to be processed by a basebandprocessor 41 of the local wireless communication unit 40. The soprocessed signals are superposed on a carrier wave in an RF unit 42 andprocessed in a baseband signal processor 41 so as to be transmittedthrough local wireless communication antenna 43 to the peripheraldevice(s). The electrical wave transmitted over a radio path from theperipheral device(s) is received by the local wireless communicationantenna 43 to undergo signal extraction in the RF unit 42 followed bysignal processing by the baseband signal processor 41. The resultingsignal is transmitted through communication controller 13 to the CPU 12.

[0054] The positioning information transmitting device 10 also includesa record readout unit 14 for recording/reading out data on or from thememory card 3, such that data of a movement trajectory, left as actionlog as later explained, is written from the CPU 1 through the recordingreadout unit 14 and a memory card controller 15 in the memory card 3.Conversely, data may also be read out by the CPU 12 from the memory card3.

[0055] The positioning information transmitting device 10 also includesan LCD 16 for displaying the positioning state, such that display datamay be demonstrated as necessary on the LCD 16 from the CPU 12 throughan LCD controller 17. A specified instance of display data on the LCD 16is shown in FIG. 3, in which a positioning possible state 51 isindicated as [positioning under way], while a positioning system 52 isindicated as [GPS and/or base station]. The latitude longitudeinformation 53 of the current site is indicated as [N35.43.12,E139.23.16], while a movement trajectory recording mode 54 is indicatedas [movement trajectory recording ON].

[0056] The positioning information transmitting device 10 also hasstored therein a program ROM 18 in which are stored an operating system(OS), and an application software executed next to this OS,specifically, such programs for measuring the current site, subsequentlytransmitting site data to a requesting device and also for recording amovement trajectory in a memory card. These programs are read out by theCPU 12 to a memory 19 so as to be executed with the memory 19 as a workarea.

[0057]FIG. 4 shows a positioning information transmitting/receivingsystem 70 in which the positioning information transmitting device 10 isresponsive to a request from another peripheral device to transmit dataof the current site as positioned to peripheral devices and in which thedevoice which has received the data executes a unique applicationdepending on the current site. This is a specified instance of thepositioning information transmitting/receiving system, which is made upby the positioning information transmitting device 10, a digital camera80 and a portable information terminal device 100 (Personal DigitalAssistants or PDA).

[0058] The digital camera 80 or the portable information terminal device100 requests current site and time data, as the aforementionedpositioning information, to the positioning information transmittingdevice 10, as necessary, through a local wireless transmitter 81 or alocal wireless communication unit 101 (1). On receipt of the request,the positioning information transmitting device 10 receives signals fromthe GPS satellite 1 or the portable telephone base station 2 tocalculate the current site and the current time. The so calculatedcurrent site and time data are again sent through the local wirelesscommunication unit 40 to the peripheral device which has made therequest (2). When the movement trajectory recording mode is ON, thepositioning information transmitting device 10 records the current siteand time data on the memory card 3.

[0059] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processing executedbetween the positioning information transmitting device 10 and thedigital camera 80 in the positioning information transmitting/receivingsystem 70, as shown in FIG. 5, is explained. Here, the processing of thepositioning information transmitting device 10 transmitting the positionand time information (2) responsive to the position and time datarequest (1) from the digital camera 80 is explained. This processing isrealized as a result of an application program corresponding to theflowchart being read out from the program ROM 18 to the RAM 19 by theCPU 12 and being then executed with the RAM 19 as the work area.

[0060] First, the positioning information transmitting device 10 at stepS1 checks whether or not positioning is feasible. If the positioning isfeasible (YES), the positioning information transmitting device 10proceeds to step S2 to calculate the current site by the aforementionedGPS unit 30 and/or the portable telephone signal positioning processor20.

[0061] The reason the current site has been stated as being calculatedby the GPS unit 30 and/or the portable telephone signal positioningprocessor 20 is that the positioning information transmitting device 10is portable and hence only one of them is usable depending on thelocation of movement or on the signal receiving state, and also that, ifboth are usable, the user may be allowed to select one of them, or anaverage value of the current site data or the time data as obtained withthe GPS unit and the portable telephone signal positioning processor maybe used.

[0062] If it is determined at step S3 that a request for site or timedata (1) has been made from the peripheral device (digital camera 80)(YES), the positioning information transmitting device proceeds to stepS4 to transmit site and time data (2) through the local wirelesscommunication unit 40.

[0063] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has been selected, the positioning informationtransmitting device at S6 records position and time data in the memorycard. The positioning information transmitting device then reverts tostep S1.

[0064] If it is determined at step S3 that no request has been made ofthe site or time data (1) from the peripheral device (digital camera 80)(NO), the positioning information transmitting device proceeds to theaforementioned step S5.

[0065] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode of leaving the movement trajectory data as action log hasnot been selected, the positioning information transmitting device skipsthe step S6 to revert to step S1.

[0066] In this manner, the positioning information transmitting device10 sends the site or time information (2) responsive to the site or timedata (1) from the digital camera 80. The digital camera 80 is able toadd the transmitted site or time information to the photographed image.The positioning information transmitting device 10, on the other hand,is able to record the movement trajectory on the memory card.

[0067] The processing of the positioning information transmitting device10 transmitting the information on the latitude, longitude and the time,as a specified example of the aforementioned site or time data,responsive to a request from the digital camera 80, is explained withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8. This processing is carried out by the flowup to step S4 of the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0068] First, the positioning information transmitting device 10 throughsteps S1 and S2 calculates the information on the latitude, longitudeand the time of the current site by the aforementioned GPS unit 30and/or the portable telephone signal positioning processor 20. If it isdetermined at step S3 that a request for the information on thelatitude, longitude and the time (1) has been received from the digitalcamera 80, as shown in FIG. 7, the positioning information transmittingdevice 10 sends the information on the latitude, longitude and the time(2) through the local wireless communication unit 40.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, data exchanged uses XML (Extensible markuplanguage). For example, the requesting party expresses an item ofrequesting the latitude longitude time (1) as an item of request<request> and specifies the latitude longitude unit by a <unit> tag tosend these tags.

[0070] Responsive to this request, the positioning informationtransmitting device 10 sends to the digital camera 80 the latitudelongitude time information (2), similarly employing the XML, as thepositioning system of the latitude and the longitude, the latitude andlongitude unit, the latitude and longitude, and positioning date andtime of measurement, are expressed by a <datum> tag, a <unit> tag, a<pos> tag and by a <postime> tag, respectively.

[0071] A specified instance of movement trajectory data, recorded on thememory card 3, inserted into the memory card inserting opening (slot) 59of the positioning information transmitting device 10, as shown in FIG.9, is explained with reference to FIG. 10.

[0072] The movement trajectory data is stored as a data file in thememory card 3. FIG. 10a shows a data format of the movement trajectoryrecording data. In the leading end of the file is arranged a record,which is termed a header, indicated by a tag $>HDR, and which gives themeaning to the entire file, such as version, letter or character code,positioning system or the recording device. The header is followed by arecord, which is termed data, indicated by a tag $>EPD, and which statesthe positioning date and time, latitude, the longitude and the altitudeof the current site, the movement speed and the proceeding direction(heading).

[0073]FIG. 10b shows a sample of position trajectory recording data. Inthe leading end is arranged a header, indicated by a tag $>HDR, with theversion “1.00”, letter codes “Shift_JIS”, measurement system “Tokyo” andwith the recording device “positioning system” as items. The header isfollowed by data indicated by a tag $>EPD, with the date and time“2000/07/21/5-09:05:15+0.9:00 (time difference from the Greenwich Time”,latitude “+35.63350”, longitude “+139.76597”, altitude “00051”, speed“60” and the heading “110” as items.

[0074] The movement trajectory data, thus recorded on the memory card 3in the positioning information transmitting device 10, may be left asaction log.

[0075] An exemplary application of the digital camera 80, which hasreceived the current site and time data from the positioning informationtransmitting device 10 by local wireless communication, is hereinafterexplained.

[0076]FIG. 11 shows the structure of the digital camera 80. An image ofan object, photographed by a lens 86, adjusted for focussing by afocussing controller 85, is recorded by a CCD 87 in the form of digitalsignals as image data on an imaging memory 88. This image isdemonstrated by an LCD controller 89 on an LCD 90. The user confirmsthis and acts on a shutter 91.

[0077] The digital camera 80 also includes a local wirelesscommunication unit 81, for receiving current site data from thepositioning information transmitting device 10, a place name datastorage unit 94 for printing the place name of a photographing site on aphotographic image, a record readout unit 95 for recording the acquiredphotographic image on a memory card 4, and a memory controller 96.

[0078] The digital camera 80 also includes a CPU 92 for controlling theoperation of various portions over an internal bus. For example, arequest signal issued by the digital camera 80 is transmitted from theCPU 92 through the communication controller 93, processed by a basebandprocessor 82 of the local wireless transmitter 81 and superposed on thecarrier wave by the RF processor 83 so as to be sent over a wirelessroute from a local wireless communication antenna 84 to the positioninginformation transmitting device 10. Conversely, the electrical waves,sent over a wireless path from the positioning information transmittingdevice 10, are received by the local wireless communication antenna 84and extracted by the RF unit 83. The so extracted signals are processedby the baseband processor 82 so as to be transmitted through acommunication controller 93 to the CPU 92.

[0079] The digital camera 80 also includes an enclosed program ROM 97 inwhich there are stored an operating system (OS), and an applicationsoftware executed next to this OS, specifically, an application forimaging an object, or an application for executing the processing on theside digital camera in the positioning informationtransmitting/receiving system. This application software may beexemplified by an application, the processing of which is to beexplained in a flowchart shown for example in FIG. 13. Of course, theapplication, based on the flowchart of FIG. 13, is further subdividedinto plural sub-applications, such as, for example, a sub-application ofconverting the current site data, received by the local wirelesstransmitter 81, to a place name, using the place name data storage unit94, which will be subsequently explained. The CPU 92 has the function ofconverting the current site data into place names by the CPU 92executing this application.

[0080] When in an imaging stand-by state, the digital camera 80 requestscurrent site and time data to the positioning information transmittingdevice 10 through the local wireless transmitter 81. When the currentsite and time data is sent from the positioning information transmittingdevice 10, an optimum place name is picked up from place name data ofthe place name data storage unit 94, based on the latitude and longitudeof the current site. On recognizing that the shutter 91 has beenpressed, the CPU 92 prints the time and the place name in a lowerportion of the photographed image in the image memory 88, whilerecording the photographed image on the memory card 4.

[0081] The processing on the side digital camera 80, between the digitalcamera 80 and the positioning information transmitting device 10 (shownin FIG. 12) in the positioning information transmitting/receiving system70, is now explained using a flowchart shown in FIG. 13.

[0082] The processing is carried out by an application programconforming to this flowchart being read out from the program ROM 97 ofFIG. 11 and being executed by the CPU 92.

[0083] First, on verifying at step S11 that the digital camera 80 is inan imaging stand-by state (YES), the CPU requests the current site andtime data through the local wireless communication unit 81 to thepositioning information transmitting device 10 at step 12.

[0084] On verifying that the current site and time data has been sentfrom the positioning information transmitting device 10 (step S13), theCPU 92 executes the application of changing the aforementioned currentsite data into place names, using the place name data storage unit 94,and proceeds to pick up an optimum place name from the place name dataof the place name data storage unit 94, based on the latitude and thelongitude of the current site (step S14).

[0085] On recognizing at step S15 that the user has selected the optimumplace name, and that the shutter 91 as an enter key has been pressed(YES), the CPU 92 causes the time and the place name to be printed in alower portion of the photographed image in the image memory 88 (step16), while causing the photographed image to be recorded in the memorycard 4 (step 17). FIG. 12 shows instances of imaging and letter orcharacter printing. Although the time and the place names may be printedin the photographed image, these may also be associated with thephotographed image and separately recorded in the memory card 4.

[0086] An application instance of the portable information terminaldevice (PDA) 100 which has received the current site and time data bylocal wireless communication from the positioning informationtransmitting device 10 is now explained.

[0087]FIG. 14 shows the structure of the portable information terminaldevice 100.

[0088] The portable information terminal device 100 includes a localwireless communication unit 101 for receiving the current position datafrom the positioning information transmitting device 10.

[0089] The portable information terminal device 100 is provided with aCPU 109 for controlling the operation of various components over aninternal bus. A request signal output by the portable informationterminal device 100 is sent from the CPU 109 through a communicationcontroller 110 so as to be processed by the baseband processor 102 ofthe local wireless communication unit 101. The so processed signal issuperposed on a carrier signal by the RF processor 103 and transmittedover a wireless path from a local wireless communication antenna 104 tothe positioning information transmitting device 10. Conversely, theelectrical wave sent over the wireless path from the positioninginformation transmitting device 10 is received by a local wirelesscommunication antenna 104 to undergo signal extraction in the RFprocessor 103. The resulting extracted signal is processed in thebaseband processor 102 so as to be transmitted through the communicationcontroller 110 to the CPU 109.

[0090] The portable information terminal device 100 also includes aprogram ROM 111 in which there are stored an operating system (OS) andan application software executed next to this OS, such as digital mapdisplay application. In the program ROM 111, there are also stored eachapplication software for executing such functions as electronic schedulemanagement, electronic address notebook, an electronic memo or an actionlist management, which are general PIM (Personal information management)functions, and an application for executing the processing on the sideportable information terminal device in the positioning informationtransmitting/receiving system. There is further stored an applicationfor converting the current site data received at the local wirelesscommunication unit 101 into the site display information on the map,such as the current site symbol as later explained. By the CPU 109executing this application, the CPU 109 has the function of convertingthe current site data into the site indicating information on the map.

[0091] The portable information terminal device 100 also includes an LCD106 for displaying a map picture corresponding to the map informationwhen the aforementioned digital map display application is executed onthe CPU 109 and an LCD controller 105 for controlling this LCD 106.

[0092] The portable information terminal device also includes a recordreadout unit 107 for recording/reading out map data on or from a memorycard 5, and a memory controller 107.

[0093] If, by user's selection, the aforementioned digital map displayapplication is booted by the CPU 109 (map display mode), the portableinformation terminal device 100 requests current position data from thepositioning information transmitting device 10 through the localwireless communication antenna 101. When supplied with current site datafrom the positioning information transmitting device 10, the portableinformation terminal device 100 causes a map including the latitude andthe longitude of the current site to be displayed on the LCD 106, whilecausing the CPU 109 to act as converting means for converting thecurrent position data into the display position information on the map,in such a manner as to display the user's current site as a current sitesymbol 120 on the map.

[0094] The processing on the side portable information terminal device100, between the portable information terminal device 100 and thepositioning information transmitting device 10 (shown in FIG. 15) in thepositioning information transmitting/receiving system 70, is nowexplained using a flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

[0095] This processing is such processing executed as an applicationprogram consistent with the flowchart is read out by the CPU 109 fromthe program ROM 111.

[0096] First, when the map display mode is selected at S21 by the user,such that the display map display application is executed, the portableinformation terminal device 100 at step S22 requests position data fromthe positioning information transmitting device 10 through the localwireless communication unit 101. If it is determined at step S23 thatthe current site data has been sent from the positioning informationtransmitting device 10, the portable information terminal device 100 atstep S24 displays a map including the latitude and the longitude of thecurrent site on the LCD 106 to display the user's current site as acurrent site symbol 120 on the map, so that the aforementioned currentsite data will be converted into the display position information on themap (step S25).

[0097] It is noted that the positioning information transmission deviceof the present invention may also be enclosed in for example a portabletelephone set, instead of being arranged as a sole device. FIG. 17 showsan instance of the positioning information transmitting/receivingsystem, comprised of a portable telephone set 130, having enclosed thefunction of the positioning information transmission device, and thedigital camera 80. The portable telephone set 130 includes a portabletelephone antenna 141, a GPS antenna 151 and a local wirelesscommunication unit 160, in order to actually activate the function ofthe enclosed positioning information transmission device.

[0098]FIG. 18 shows a structure of the portable telephone set 130,having enclosed the function of the positioning information transmittingdevice.

[0099] This portable telephone set 130 includes a portable telephonesignal positioning processor 140, for receiving signals for the portabletelephone for measuring the current site, as a specified instance of thefunction of receiving base station signals from the portable telephonebase station 2 for site measurement. Specifically, the electrical wavefrom the portable telephone base station 2 is received over the portabletelephone antenna 141, to undergo signal extraction in an RF processor142 followed by signal processing in a baseband processor 143. The phasedifference of the processed signal is measured by a site measurementunit 144 to calculate the latitude and the longitude of the currentsite.

[0100] The portable telephone set 130 includes a GPS unit 150, as aspecified instance of the function of receiving GPS signals from the GPSsatellite 1, for receiving the GPS signals for measuring the currentsite. This GPS unit extracts signals at the RF signal processor 152 fromthe electrical wave received over the GPS antenna 151 to calculate thelatitude, longitude and the altitude of the current site and the currenttime by a site measurement unit 153.

[0101] The current site data, as the positioning information of thecurrent site, as calculated by the portable telephone signal positioningprocessor 140 and/or the GPS unit 150, is transferred through aninterfacing (I/F) unit 131 to the CPU 132. The term ‘portable telephonesignal positioning processor 140 and/or the GPS unit 150’ is used herefor the same reason as discussed above.

[0102] The portable telephone set 130 includes the local wirelesscommunication unit 160 capable of exchanging data with a peripheraldevice(s). The data transmitted by the portable telephone set 130 istransmitted from a CPU 132 through a local wireless communication unit133 so as to be processed by a baseband processor 161 of the localwireless communication unit 160. The resulting processed signal issuperposed on a carrier wave by an RF processor 162 so as to betransmitted over a wireless path to a peripheral device(s) over a localwireless communication antenna 163. Conversely, the electrical wavetransmitted over a wireless path from the peripheral device(s) isreceived by the local wireless communication antenna 163 to undergosignal extraction in the RF processor 162 followed by signal processingin the baseband processor 161. The resulting signal is sent through thecommunication unit 133 to the CPU 132.

[0103] The portable telephone set 130 includes a record readout unit134, capable of recording/reading out data on or from a memory card 6.The movement trajectory data, used for action log, is sent from the CPU132 through the record readout unit 134 and a memory card controller 135so as to be written in the memory card 6. Conversely, the CPU 132 isable to read out data from the memory card 6.

[0104] The portable telephone set 130 also includes an LCD 136 capableof displaying the positioning state, such that display data may bedisplayed from the CPU 132 as necessary on the LCD 136 through LCDcontroller 137. A specified instance of display data on this LCD 135 isas indicated in FIG. 3.

[0105] The portable telephone set 130 also includes an enclosed programROM 138 in which there are stored an operating system (OS) and anapplication software executed next to this OS, such as a program formeasuring the current site and subsequently transmitting site data to arequesting device or a program for recording the movement trajectory inthe memory card. These programs are read out by the CPU 132 and executedwith the memory 139 as a working area.

[0106] Reverting to FIG. 17, the operation of a specified instance ofthe positioning information transmitting/receiving system, made up bythe portable telephone set 130 and the digital camera 80, is nowexplained.

[0107] The digital camera 80 requests the current site and time data tothe portable telephone set 130 through the local wireless communicationunit 81 as necessary (1). On receipt of the request, the portabletelephone set 130 receives signals from the GPS satellite 1 and/or theportable telephone base station 2 to calculate the current site and thecurrent time. The so calculated current site and time data arere-transmitted through the local wireless communication unit 160 to theperipheral device which has made the request. Moreover, if the movementtrajectory recording mode is ON, the portable telephone set 130 recordsthe current site time data in the memory card 6.

[0108] The processing carried out between the portable informationterminal device 130 and the digital camera 80 (shown in FIG. 17) in thepositioning information transmitting/receiving system 70, is nowexplained using a flowchart shown in FIG. 6. Here, the processing of theportable telephone set 130 sending (2) the latitude longitude timeinformation responsive to the latitude longitude time request (1) fromthe digital camera 80 is explained. This processing is carried out as aresult of an application program corresponding to the flowchart beingread out from the program ROM 138 to the RAM 139 by the CPU 132 of FIG.18 and being then executed with the RAM 139 as the work area.

[0109] First, the portable telephone set 130 at step S1 checks whetheror not positioning is feasible. If the positioning is feasible (YES),the portable telephone set proceeds to step S2 to calculate the currentsite by the aforementioned GPS unit 150 and/or the portable telephonesignal positioning processor 140.

[0110] If it is determined at step S3 that there has been made a request(1) for the latitude longitude time from a peripheral device (digitalcamera 80) (YES), the portable telephone set proceeds to step S4 to sendthe latitude longitude time information (2) through local wirelesscommunication unit 160.

[0111] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has been selected, the portable telephone set records thelatitude longitude time information in the memory card 6 at step S6. Theportable telephone set then reverts to step S1.

[0112] If it is determined at step S3 that there has not been made arequest (1) for the latitude longitude time information from theperipheral device (digital camera 80) (NO), the portable telephone setproceeds to the aforementioned step S5.

[0113] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has not been selected, the portable telephone set skipsstep S6 to revert to step S1.

[0114] In this manner, the portable telephone set 130 sends (2) thelatitude longitude time information, responsive to the latitudelongitude time information (1) from the digital camera 80. The digitalcamera 80 is able to add the so transmitted latitude longitude timeinformation to the photographed image. The portable telephone device 130is also able to leave the movement trajectory in the memory card 6 asaction log.

[0115]FIG. 19 shows an instance of the positioning informationtransmitting/receiving system comprised of a portable telephone set 170having enclosed the functions of the positioning informationtransmitting device, and a digital camera 80. This portable telephoneset 170 includes a GPS antenna 181 and a local wireless communicationunit 101 for activating the functions of the enclosed positioninginformation transmitting device.

[0116]FIG. 20 shows the structure of the portable information terminaldevice 170 having enclosed the functions of the positioning informationtransmitting device.

[0117] The portable information terminal device 170 includes a GPS unit180, as a specified example of the function of receiving GPS signalsfrom the GPS satellite 1, for receiving the GPS signals for measuringthe current site. This GPS unit extracts signals from the electricalwave received over a GPS antenna 181, by an RF processor 182, tocalculate the latitude and the longitude of the current site and thecurrent time by a site measurement unit 183.

[0118] The current site data, as the positioning information for thecurrent site, calculated by the GPS unit 180, is transferred through aninterfacing (I/F) unit 184 to the GPU 109.

[0119] The structure of the portable information terminal device issubstantially the same as that of the portable information terminaldevice 100, shown in FIG. 14, as to other components, inclusive of theCPU 109. However, the record readout unit 107 is controlled by the CPU109 and writes data of the movement trajectory in the memory card 5through a memory card controller 108. Conversely, data can also be readout from the memory card 5.

[0120] Reverting to FIG. 19, the operation of the specified instance ofthe positioning information transmitting/receiving system, comprised ofthe portable information terminal device 170 and the digital camera 80,is explained.

[0121] The digital camera 80 requests current site time data from theportable information terminal device 170 through the local wirelesscommunication unit 81 as necessary (1). On receipt of the request, theportable information terminal device 170 receives signals from the GPSsatellite 1 over GPS antenna 181 to calculate the current site and thecurrent time. The so calculated current site time data is re-transmittedthrough the local wireless communication unit 101 to the requestingperipheral device (2). In addition, if the movement trajectory recordingmode is ON, the portable information terminal device 170 records thecurrent site time data in the memory card 5.

[0122] The processing carried out between the portable informationterminal device 170 and the digital camera 80 (shown in FIG. 19) in thepositioning information transmitting/receiving system, is now explainedusing a flowchart shown in FIG. 6. Here, the processing of the portableinformation terminal device 170 sending (2) the latitude longitude timeinformation responsive to the latitude longitude time request (1) fromthe digital camera 80 is explained. This processing is carried out as aresult of an application program corresponding to the flowchart beingread out from the program ROM 111 to the RAM 112 by the CPU 109 of FIG.20 and being then executed with the RAM 112 as work area.

[0123] First, the portable information terminal device 170 at step S1checks whether or not positioning is feasible. If the positioning isfeasible (YES), the portable information terminal device proceeds tostep S2 to calculate the current site by the aforementioned GPS unit180.

[0124] If it is determined at step S3 that there has been made a request(1) for the latitude longitude time from a peripheral device (digitalcamera 80) (YES), the portable information terminal device 170 proceedsto step S4 to send the latitude longitude time information (2) throughlocal wireless communication unit 101.

[0125] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has been selected, the portable information terminaldevice at step S6 records the latitude longitude time information in thememory card 6. The portable information terminal device then reverts tostep S1.

[0126] If it is determined at step S3 that there no request (1) for thelatitude longitude time information has been made from the peripheraldevice (digital camera 80) (NO), the portable information terminaldevice proceeds to the aforementioned step S5.

[0127] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has not been selected, the portable information terminaldevice skips step S6 to revert to step S1.

[0128] In this manner, the portable information terminal device 170sends (2) the latitude longitude time information responsive to thelatitude longitude time information request (1) from the digital camera80. The digital camera 80 is able to add the so transmitted latitudelongitude time information to the photographed image. The portableinformation terminal device 170 is also able to leave the movementtrajectory in the memory card 5 as action log.

[0129] The positioning information transmitting device of the presentinvention may also be enclosed in a portable personal computer device200, the appearance of which is shown in FIG. 21. This portable personalcomputer device 200 is an easy-to-carry portable personal computerdevice, with a size of not larger than B5 size, as an example. Theportable personal computer device 200 includes a GPS antenna 258 and alocal wireless communication unit 230, as later explained, foractivating the functions of the enclosed positioning informationtransmitting device.

[0130] This portable personal computer device 200 is made up by a mainbody unit 202 and a display unit 203, openably mounted to the main bodyunit 202, and to which is mounted a local wireless communication antenna233 of the local wireless communication unit 230, which will beexplained subsequently.

[0131] The main body unit 202 is provided with plural operating keys 204on its upper surface for entering various letters or characters, symbolsand numerical figures, a stick type pointing device 205, acted on indisplacing a cursor, indicated and input on the display unit 203, anenclosed loudspeaker 206, and a shutter button 207 acted on inphotographing an image by a CCD (charge coupled device) camera 223provided on the display unit 203.

[0132] On the front side of the display unit 203, there is mounted aliquid crystal display 221, comprised of an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay). At an upper mod portion on the front surface thereof, animaging unit 222, provided with a CCD camera 223, is mounted forrotation with respect to the display unit 203.

[0133] The imaging unit 222 is adapted for being rotated within anangular extent of 180° between the front side and the back side of thedisplay unit 203 for being positioned at an optional position. Theimaging unit 222 is provided with an adjustment ring for focussingadjustment of the CCD camera 223.

[0134] On the front surface of the display unit 203, there is provided amicrophone 224 on the immediately left side of the imaging unit 222, sothat the sound may be collected through the microphone 224 from the backside of the display unit 203.

[0135] On the lower mid portion of the front side in the display unit203, there are provided a power source lamp PL, comprised of an LED(light emitting diode), a battery lamp BL, a message lamp ML and otherlamps adapted for various other usages.

[0136] At the front upper end of the display unit 203, there is provideda pawl 213 on the immediately left side of the microphone 224, while anopening 208 is formed at a preset position of the main body unit 202 inregister with the pawl 213. The pawl 213 is fitted in the opening 208 toeffect lock, as the display unit 203 remains closed with respect to themain body unit 202.

[0137] On the back surface of the display unit 203, there is provided alocal wireless communication antenna 233, which will be explainedsubsequently.

[0138] On the front side of the main body unit 202 is mounted a slidelever 209, as shown in FIG. 21. This slide lever 209 is slid along thefront surface, in an arrow mark direction, to unlock the pawl 213 fittedin the opening 208 to open the display unit 203 with respect to the mainbody unit 202.

[0139] On the front surface of the main body unit 202, there is mounteda programmable power key (PPK key) 210 which may be pressed only once toboot a preset application software (referred to below simply asapplication) to automatically execute a sequence of preset operations.On the right end of the main body unit 20 are mounted plural suctionopenings 211.

[0140] The internal circuitry of the portable personal computer device200 is now explained. Referring to FIG. 22, there are connected, to aPCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 251 of a booting sequencecontroller 283 of the main body unit 202, a CPU (central processingunit) 252, a PC (personal computer) card slot 253, a RAM (random accessmemory) 254, a graphics processing circuit 255 for generating an imagedisplayed on a liquid crystal display 221 of the display unit 203, andan IEEE interface 256, directly coupled to an IEEE1396 terminal 241,which is adapted for being connected to another computer device or to anexternal equipment for taking in digital data.

[0141] The CPU 252 is a controller for comprehensively controllingvarious functions of the main body unit 202 and is adapted for executingvarious programs loaded on the RAM 254 to execute various functions.

[0142] To the PCI bus 251 is connected an ISA (Industrial StandardArchitecture) bus 259, to which are connected a hard disc drive 260, anI/O (In/Out) controller 261, a keyboard controller 262, a pointingdevice controller 263, a sound chip 264, an LCD controller 265, a modem266 and a USB interface 267.

[0143] The keyboard controller 262 controls the inputting of a controlsignal caused by pressing the operating keys 204 (FIG. 21), while thepointing device controller 263 controls the inputting of a controlsignal from the stick type pointing device 205 (FIG. 21).

[0144] The sound chip 264 takes in the speech input from the microphone224 (FIG. 21) or sends speech signals to the enclosed loudspeaker 206(FIG. 11), while the modem 266 connects to a WWW server 302 of aprovider 301 over a public telephone network 290 and the Internet 304.Meanwhile, the USB interface 267 is connected to a USB terminal 242 forconnection to peripheral equipment, such as USB mouse or flexible discdrive.

[0145] In the hard disc drive 260, there are stored an OS (operatingsystem) 260A, made up by Window98 (trademark), an HTML browser 260B, anapplication program 60C for performing processing in accordance with aflowchart shown in FIG. 6, and a variety of application software, notshown. These software programs are read out as necessary for loading onthe RAM 254.

[0146] The I/O controller 261 is comprised of interconnection of an I/Ointerface 269, a CPU 270, a ROM (read-only memory) 271, comprised ofEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) and aRAM 272, and is supplied with the current time by an RTC (real-timeclock) 281.

[0147] In the ROM 271 of the I/O controller 261, there are stored a BIOS(Basic Input/Output System) 273, a wake-up program 274, a key inputmonitor program 275 and an LED control program 276, whereas, in the RAM272, there are provided a key input status register 277, a setting timeregister 278, an LED control register 279, and a key accommodatingapplication register 280.

[0148] In the key input status register 277, stored in the RAM 272, anoperating key flag is stored. The CPU 270 monitors whether or not thePPK key 210 for one-touch operation has been pressed, based on the keyinput monitor program 275. When the PPK key 210 is pressed, theoperating key flag is stored in the key input status register 277.

[0149] In the setting time register 278 may be stored the timeinformation, such as start time, optionally set in advance by the user.The CPU 270 detects whether or not the current time afforded by the RTC281 is the optionally set start time, based on the wake-up program 274,and executes the preset processing at the start time.

[0150] The key accommodating application register 280 memorizes therelationship of correspondence between the PPK key 210 and the operatingkeys 204 of different combinations on one hand and the applications tobe booted on the other hand, in association with the PPK key 210 andpreset combinations of the operating keys 204. When the PPK key 210 andpreset combinations of the operating keys 204 are pressed, the CPU 270sends control data for booting the associated applications to the CPU252, over the ISA bus 259 and the PCI bus 251, in order to boot theapplication software, consistent with the control data, by the CPU 252.

[0151] When the application software stored in the key accommodatingapplication register 280 is booted to terminate the operation, the LEDcontrol register 279 holds an end flag. On detection that the end flaghas been stored in the LED control register 279, based on the LEDcontrol register 279, the CPU 270 causes a message lamp ML to be turnedon.

[0152] When the power source switch 240 is pressed, the LED controlregister 279 stores the power source flag, whereas, when the main bodyunit 202 is in operation under the power supply voltage from thebattery, the LED control register 279 stores a battery flag. Thus, ondetecting that the power source flag or the battery flag has beenstored, based on the LED control program 276, the CPU 270 turns on apower supply lamp PL and a battery lamp BL.

[0153] Since a backup battery 282 is connected to the I/O controller261, the data of the key input status register 277, setting timeregister 278, LED control register 279 and the key accommodatingapplication register 280 of the RAM 272, are held, even if the powersupply switch 240 of the main body unit 202 is turned off, such thatthere is no power supply from a power source.

[0154] An inverting switch 288, connected to the I/O controller 261, isturned on when the imaging unit 222 has been rotated through 180° in adirection of imaging the opposite side of the liquid crystal display 221of the display unit 203, and notifies the state to the CPU 270. The PPKkey 210 also notifies that effect to the CPU 270, as when the invertingswitch 288 has been pressed.

[0155] When the shutter button 207, provided on the upper surface of themain body unit 202, is pressed partway, a half-thrust switch 286 isturned on to advise the state to the CPI 270 of the I/O controller 261.When the shutter button 207 is pressed to its full stroke, a full-thrustswitch 287 is turned on to advise the state to the CPI 270 of the I/Ocontroller 261.

[0156] That is, if a capture software, among the various applications ofthe hard disc drive 260, is booted, and the shutter button 207 ispressed partway by the user, the CPU 270 of the I/O controller 261enters into the still image mode. If the CCD camera 223 is controlled toexecute the freeze of the still image, and the shutter button is pressedto its full stroke, the CPU captures the frozen still image data to sendthe so captured data to a data processor 285.

[0157] If conversely the CPU 270 of the I/O controller 261 enters intothe moving image mode as the capture software is not booted, the CPU ofthe I/O controller captures the moving images of up to approximately 60seconds at the maximum to send the so captured moving images to the dataprocessor 285.

[0158] The I/O controller 261 is also adapted for controlling thegraphics processing circuit 255, connected to the PCI bus 251, such thatpicture data, comprised of the still image or moving images, captured bythe CCD camera 223, is processed in a preset fashion by the dataprocessor 285 and subsequently input to the graphics processing circuit255.

[0159] The graphics processing circuit 255 holds picture data suppliedthereto in an enclosed VRAM (Video Random Access memory) 255A, fromwhich the data may be read out and sent to the LCD controller 265 forstorage in the hard disc drive 260 as necessary.

[0160] The LCD controller 265 controls a back light 284 of the displayunit 203 to illuminate the back side of the liquid crystal display 221,while causing the picture data from the graphics processing circuit 255to be output to the liquid crystal display 221 for display thereon.

[0161] A communication controller 229 is connected over PCI bus 251 andISA bus 259 to the CPU 252. To the communication controller 229 isconnected a local wireless communication unit 230, which local wirelesscommunication unit 230 includes a wireless communication antenna 233provided on the back surface of the display unit 203.

[0162] The data transmitted by this portable personal computer device200 is sent from the CPU 252 through the communication controller 229and processed by the baseband processor 231 of the local wirelesscommunication unit 230. The so processed data is superposed on a carrierwave in the RF processor 232 so as to be transmitted over local wirelesscommunication unit 230 to a peripheral device(s). Conversely, theelectrical wave sent over wireless path from the peripheral device(s) isreceived by the local wireless communication antenna 233 and processedwith signal extraction by the RF unit 232 and with signal processing bythe baseband signal processor 231 so as to be sent through thecommunication controller 229 to the CPU 252.

[0163] The PC card slot 213, connected to the PCI bus 251, is properlyloaded via a PC card, not shown, when adding optional functions, so thatdata may be exchanged through this PC card with the CPU 252. Forexample, when a GPS (Global Positioning System) card 257 of the PCMCIAtype is loaded in the PC card slot 213, the electrical wave from the GPSsatellite is received by the GPS antenna 258 connected to the GPS card257 to obtain current site data.

[0164] Thus, the GPS card 257 sends the current site data, received overGPS antenna 258, such as latitude data, longitude data and altitudedata, over the PCI bus 251 to the CPU 252. That is, the portablepersonal computer device 200 includes a GPS unit in turn including a GPSantenna 258.

[0165] The processing performed between this portable personal computerdevice 200 and e.g., the digital camera 80, is now explained mutatismutandis with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. Here, the processingof the portable personal computer device 200 sending the latitudelongitude time information responsive to the latitude longitude timerequest from the digital camera 80 is explained. This processing iscarried out as a result of an application program corresponding to theflowchart being read out from the HDD 260 of FIG. 22 to the RAM 254 bythe CPU 252 and being then executed with the RAM 112 as work area.

[0166] First, the portable personal computer device 200 at step S1checks whether or not positioning is feasible. If the positioning isfeasible (YES), the portable information terminal device 200 proceeds tostep S2 to calculate the current site by the aforementioned GPS unit.

[0167] If it is determined at step S3 that there has been made a requestfor the latitude longitude time from a peripheral device (digital camera80) (YES), the portable information terminal device 200 proceeds to stepS4 to send the latitude longitude time information through localwireless communication unit 230.

[0168] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has been selected, the portable information terminaldevice records the latitude longitude time information in the memorycard (step S6). The portable information terminal device then reverts tostep S1.

[0169] If it is determined at step S3 that there no request for thelatitude longitude time information has been made from the peripheraldevice (digital camera 80) (NO), the portable information terminaldevice 200 proceeds to the aforementioned step S5.

[0170] If it is determined at step S5 that the movement trajectoryrecording mode has not been selected, the portable information terminaldevice skips step S6 to revert to step S1.

[0171] In this manner, the portable information terminal device 200sends the latitude longitude time information responsive to the latitudelongitude time information from the digital camera 80. The digitalcamera 80 is able to add the so transmitted latitude longitude timeinformation to the photographed image. The portable information terminaldevice 200 is also able to leave the movement trajectory in the memorycard 5 as action log.

[0172] Although the foregoing respective instances are those in whichthe GPS positioning and the positioning by an electrical wave from theportable telephone base station are used in the method of measuring thecurrent site, the present invention is not limited thereto and may alsobe applied to a positioning system with short and long waves by e.g.,television or wireless or the positioning system by a gyro, a compass ormap matching.

[0173] Although the wireless communication termed Bluetooth employingthe 2.4 GHz band is used in the above-described respective embodimentsin the wireless communication system between the positioning informationtransmitting device and the peripheral device(s), the present inventionis not limited thereto and may also use a wireless communication systemas used in IEEE802.11 communication in the 5 GHz band, portabletelephone or cordless telephone, a wireless communication system of thefrequency modulation (FM) system or an infrared communication system.

[0174] In the above-described respective embodiments, the memory card isa MemoryStick (registered trademark). However, the present invention isnot limited thereto and may also use a magnetic recording system, such asemiconductor memory card, for example a PC card, hard disc or flexibledisc, or an optical disc system, such as CD-R or Mini-Disc.

[0175] The above-described respective embodiments refer to anillustrative application of a digital camera which has received thecurrent site time data from the portable information terminal device.However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may also bedirected to an imaging application for a portable personal computerdevice, carrying a CCD camera, a portable telephone device, a portableinformation terminal device, a video camera or a halide camera.

[0176] The above-described respective embodiments refer to anillustrative application of a portable information terminal device whichhas received current site data from the positioning informationtransmitting device. The present invention however is not limitedthereto and may also be directed to a map viewer software for a portablepersonal computer or a portable telephone set or to a map displayapplication such as a car navigation system.

[0177] In the above-described respective embodiments, it is stated thatXML is used in data communication between the positioning informationtransmitting device and the peripheral device(s). The present invention,however, is not limited thereto and may be applied to a binary datasystem, an ASCII letter system, an HTML (HyperText Markup Language)system, a WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) system, PostScript(descriptive language developed by Adobe Inc., USA) or to a JAVA script(language for program development, developed by Sun Microsystem Inc.USA). In addition, HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) may also be used.

[0178] The positioning information transmitting device 10 is stated tobe a portable device driven by the power from the enclosed battery 58.However, the positioning information transmitting device may also be ofa stationary type driven by the power from the commercial power supply.In such case, there is no movement trajectory data left as action log.

What is claimed is:
 1. A positioning information transmitting devicecomprising: current site positioning means for positioning the currentsite to obtain the positioning information; and wireless communicationmeans for transmitting the positioning information obtained by saidcurrent site positioning means to outside.
 2. The positioninginformation transmitting device according to claim 1 wherein saidwireless transmission means sends the positioning information of thecurrent site obtained by said current site positioning means to aplurality of peripheral devices.
 3. The positioning informationtransmitting device according to claim 1 wherein said current sitepositioning means obtain the positioning information of the current siteby calculations employing the global positioning system and/orcalculations employing base station signals of a portable telephone set.4. A positioning information transmission/reception system comprising: apositioning information transmitting device including current sitepositioning means for positioning the current site to obtain thepositioning information and wireless transmission means for transmittingthe positioning information obtained by said current site positioningmeans to outside; and a device including wireless communication meansfor receiving wireless signals indicating said positioning informationtransmitted by said positioning information transmitting device, andconverting means for converting the positioning information of thewireless signals received by said wireless communication means intoplace name, time and/or the site indicating information on a map.
 5. Thepositioning information transmission/reception system according to claim4 wherein a plurality of said devices are present around saidpositioning information transmitting device.
 6. The positioninginformation transmission/reception system according to claim 4 whereinsaid device is a portable image pickup device imaging an object andrecording and/or outputting an image corresponding to image pickupsignals, said device converting the positioning information of wirelesssignals received by said wireless communication means into the placename information and/or the time information and adding said place nameinformation and/or time information to said image.
 7. The positioninginformation transmission/reception system according to claim 4 whereinsaid device is a portable information terminal device having a displayunit for demonstrating the map information, said terminal deviceconverting the positioning information of wireless signals received bysaid wireless communication means into the place name or the positionindicating information on a map by said converting means for display onsaid display unit along with the map information.
 8. The positioninginformation transmission/reception system according to claim 5 whereincertain ones of said plural devices are portable image pickup devicesimaging an object and recording and/or outputting an image correspondingto image pickup signals, said portable image pickup devices convertingthe positioning information of wireless signals received by saidwireless communication means into the place name information and/or thetime information and adding said place name information and/or timeinformation to said image, the remaining ones of said devices beingportable information terminal devices having a display unit fordemonstrating the map information, said portable information terminaldevices converting the wireless positioning signals received by saidwireless communication means its place name information and/or theposition indicating information on a map by said converting means fordemonstrating the so converted information on said display unit alongwith the map information.
 9. A positioning information transmittingmethod comprising: a step of positioning the current site to obtain thepositioning information; and a step of transmitting the positioninginformation obtained by said current site positioning means on awireless path to outside.
 10. A positioning information transmittingprogram comprising: a step of positioning the current site to obtain thepositioning information; and a step of transmitting the positioninginformation obtained by said current site positioning means on awireless path to outside.